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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken
I loveeee buffalo sauce and this air fryer buffalo chicken burger is so simple and tastes like something you would get at a restaurant.
SERVES
4
CALORIES
326
COOKING TIME
22 mins
DIFFICULTY
simple
How Long Do You Cook Buffalo Chicken in the Air Fryer?
The cooking time for air fryer buffalo chicken depends on the cut of chicken:
Chicken breasts: 18-20 minutes at 190°C (375°F), flipping halfway.
Chicken wings: 22-25 minutes at 200°C (400°F), shaking the basket every 5-7 minutes.
Chicken thighs: 20-22 minutes at 190°C (375°F).
Chicken tenders: 10-12 minutes at 190°C (375°F).
Do You Need to Flip Buffalo Chicken in the Air Fryer?
Yes, flipping halfway through ensures even cooking and crispiness. For wings, shaking the basket every 5-7 minutes helps crisp them up.
Do You Put Buffalo Sauce on Chicken Before or After Air Frying?
For the best results, air fry first, then toss in buffalo sauce. Adding sauce before cooking can burn due to its butter content. If you want extra flavour, brush a light layer on during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
How Do You Make Homemade Buffalo Sauce for Air Fryer Chicken?
A simple buffalo sauce recipe requires just 3 ingredients:
Frank’s RedHot Sauce
Melted butter
Garlic powder
I add two more ingredients for some sweetness (which are in the ingredients list). Then simply whisk together and toss with your air-fried chicken while it’s still hot.
Is Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Healthy?
Air frying uses little to no oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying. To make it even healthier:
- Use skinless chicken breast or tenders for lower fat.
- Choose a low-sodium buffalo sauce.
- Instead of breading your chicken, simply season your chicken, air fry then toss in buffalo sauce for a lower calorie alternative.
How Do You Keep Buffalo Chicken from Getting Soggy in the Air Fryer?
To keep it crispy:
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—air circulation is key.
- Toss in buffalo sauce after cooking, not before.
Should I Marinate the Chicken Before Air Frying?
Marinating isn’t necessary, but it adds flavour and keeps chicken juicy. If marinating in buffalo sauce, avoid excess liquid before air frying. For extra juiciness, marinate in buttermilk for 30 minutes to overnight before cooking.
Method
Step 1
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
Step 2
Add your flour to a plate and add all your dry spices. Give it a good mix.
Step 3
To a bowl, add a few dashes of hot sauce to your butter milk. Dip the chicken thigh in the buttermilk mixture then in the flour and repeat until all four chicken thighs are covered in the flour mixture.
Step 4
Coat the chicken in low calorie oil spray and pop in the air fryer and cook for 22 minutes at 190°C (375°F). Make sure to flip the chicken half way through.
Step 5
While that is cooking, prepare your buffalo sauce by mixing butter with hot sauce, some honey, garlic powder and paprika. Give that a good mix.
Step 6
When the chicken is cooked, coat the chicken in the sauce and serve on a burger bun or in my case, a buttery croissant with some lettuce, tomato and ranch. This was amazing.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
60g flour
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp Dried mustard
1 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp ground ginger
Salt and pepper
200ml buttermilk
Oil spray (I used @frylighthq)
For the buffalo sauce:
120ml franks hot sauce
50g unsalted butter
2 tbsp honey
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
